Starting village

"So, how does this dungeon simulation thing work exactly?" Blake asks as Hestia, my new employee is busy strapping her to a high-tech-looking chair and putting a helmet on her head.

I'm currently doing the same to Ruby while Yang and Weiss are already fully set up and waiting for me to let them into the simulation.

"It's exactly as it sounds. You are inserted into a fully simulated game-like world where you complete quests and fight monsters. Any stats you gain can be brought out to the real world free of charge, making you much stronger." I finish strapping in Ruby, who would be bouncing around in excitement if not for being bound to the chair.

"As for any skills, you don't get them for free right away, but depending on the level inside the simulation, you can get a discount. Level 1 skill gives a 1% discount, level 50 gives a 50% discount, and so on, if you manage to reach level 100 with a specific skill, you can get it for free in the real world."

With my explanation finished and the four members of team RWBY in their chairs, Yang says, "So I don't mean to alarm you, but all I see is blackness right now. How exactly do I start this thing?"

I smile to no one in particular "When you want to start, you just have to yell out 'link start,' and the next thing you know, you will be in the game."

""""LINK START!""""

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After yelling that out, the girls are met with a blinding light that forces them to close their eyes tight. Seconds later, when they once again open their eyes, they are surprised to find themselves in the middle of a small village.

"Wow, this feels so real!" Weiss says, amazed at the feeling of the sun on her skin.

"Well, I didn't expect anything less than this from a literal god," Blake says before realizing something. "Wait, wasn't this thing called a dungeon simulation? If so, why is there a sky and sun? Arent dungeons supposed to be dark and damp?"

"Maybe we haven't entered the actual dungeon yet? Look around, we are in some sort of village right now." Yang says, and true enough, they were currently in the center of a small village with primarily one-floor wooden houses with thatch roofs.

"Oh, I know, this must be a starting village," Ruby says, and Yang and Blake look at her for further explanation, not having any experience with games. "Kind of like a tutorial area."

"Okay, I think I get it, but what's with all the people here? I thought we were the first ones to test this thing out?" Blake says.

Ruby starts trying to explain, but Weiss beats her to the punch "They are probably NPCs, short for non-player character. Basically, they aren't real people, instead, they are specifically made for the game."

Hearing the explanation, the other three look at Weiss with surprise evident on their faces. "I understand, sis knowing about games, but what's up with you being so knowledgeable on this matter, Weiss-cream?"

Noticing her slip up, Weiss blushes, explaining herself, "Everyone needs a hobby of some kind, and games were the perfect way to spend time while traveling between concert locations…"

Hearing this, Yang seems happy to have a new thing to tease the stiff heiress about. "Well then, pro gamer, where should we go first?"

Trying to save her partner from Yang, Ruby speaks up. "Well, usually in these sorts of games, you would search for the village elder first, and they would give you your first quest."

Looking around for a second, Blake points to the only two-story house in sight. "If I had to bet money, I would say the village elder lives there."

Deciding to stop teasing Weiss for now, Yang is instead fired up about seeing how much stronger she could get through this game and is the first to start running toward their current destination.

Only to fall down after three short steps…

"Ow, what the hell? I feel so sluggish." She says, getting back up, rubbing her sore knees. "Wait a sec, that fall actually hurt me. Where is my aura?"

Hearing Yang, the other three are alarmed and quickly try to activate their own auras only to not feel anything.

"We don't have our auras here? How are we supposed to fight these monsters?" Blake asks but soon finds her answer when Ruby tells everyone to think out 'status' in their minds.

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Name - Ruby Rose

Level - 1 (0 / 10)

Class - None (Reach level 10 to select)

Highest dungeon floor - 1st

HP - 100 / 100 (10 per minute)

MP - 100 /100 (10 per minute)

STR - 10

CON - 10

AGI - 10

INT - 10

LCK - 10

CHA - 10

Free points - 0

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Comparing their status screens, the four notice that other than the name at the top, each of them have identical stats. In addition to that, Ruby tells everyone to check their 'skills' tab, and as expected, it is completely empty for all of them.

The group once again starts heading toward the village elder's house, this time taking things a bit more slowly to get used to their weakened bodies.

Reaching the house, Weiss knocks on the door, and an old-looking man with a long gray beard comes out to greet them. "Oh, I believe I have not seen you around these parts before. I am the village chief. How may I help you?"

Giving the village chief a bow, Weiss continues the dialogue fishing for a quest "Respected village chief, we are travelers and were hoping that you have some work to offer us."

Hearing this, the village chief's eyes light up. "What perfect timing you have, recently we have been terrorized by wolves from the nearby forest who come out to eat our livestock. If you could take care of them, I would pay you well."

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New Quest - Hungry Wolves

Description - Wolves are coming out of the nearby Emerald Forest to eat the village's animals. Kill 20 of them and bring their fangs to the village chief as proof.

Reward - 30 XP, 25 CC, A new quest

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